Useful Stuff

This page has links to lots of useful stuff about theatre and film. If you’re serious about theatre or film, you’ll want to find out as much as you can. When you’re ready to do your own production, there are links here to help you too..If any of these links are broken, please let us know so we can update or remove them.

Production Toolkit – useful tips and documents to make your life as a director easier.

Find A Script

Before you stage a play you need to buy or obtain a perusal copy of the script. You will need to seek permission to stage the play and pay royalties to the script writer, their publisher or agent. You’ll normally need to use the Australian agent for a script that comes from overseas.

Australian Plays
Online store of Australian plays from Currency Press, PlayLab Press, PlayWriting Australia, The Australian Script Centre, Phoenix Education, Inbooks and more. Many plays include online extracts. You can also purchase an annual “Library Pass” to read full scripts online.australianplays.org

Australian Script Centre
Become a member and borrow scripts for perusalwww.ozscript.org

BeyondQ Bookshop, Curtin Shops Canberra
Good range of second-hand drama books and scripts
and great coffee!www.beyondq.com.au

Book Lore Bookshop, Lyneham Shops Canberra
Small but ever changing selection of drama books and scriptswww.booklore.com.au

StagePlays
Large (0ver 30 000 titles) online store for US, British, French, German, Russian, Australian, NZ and other international plays including titles by publishers such as Samuel French, Dramatists Play Service, Currency Press and many more.www.stageplays.com

Find a Venue

Once you decide to put on a performance, you’ll need a venue to rehearse and/or perform in. Unless you’re performing street theatre or are at some special event or festival, you’ll probably want somewhere that has a stage, somewhere for the actors to change, toilets, kitchen, lighting and sound facilities. You’ll generally need to pay a hire fee and book well in advance (up to 12 months in some cases) and have appropriate public liability insurance. If you perform in a public place other than a theatre or hall, you’ll need permission from the local council or local authority.

Costume, Makeup, Sets and Props

Here are some places to research and buy costume items, theatre makeup and materials for your sets and props.

Caution: If you are using any kind of weapons in theatre or film (including imitation weapons) or materials such as police or army uniforms, there are special restrictions and permits required in some states, including NSW. Check your state’s police website for details.
In NSW see: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au

You’ll still need to make sure that you correctly license or get permission to use any music (live or recorded) for your show or film, or if you play music in your venue. Even if it is royalty free, you may still need to get permission or pay a small fee or ensure you include a credit with the licence details in your film credits or program.

Film

Want to get into film? Here are some links that can help you. There are some legal requirements that affect filmaking, so it’s good to read up first. Issues like copyright, profit sharing, permission from local authorities to film in public areas, contractual agreements with cast and crew (even volunteers), cast & crew health and safety etc.